Atheists Now Want to Sue Over Seven in Heaven Sign Honoring 9/11 Firefighters

In late June the Brooklyn Paper reported that atheist groups were unhappy with a new street sign in Red Hook honoring seven firefighters from Engine 202 and Ladder 101 who were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The problem, according to them, is that the sign says "Seven in Heaven Way," and the mention of heaven in a secular context is just not okay; in fact, it's "akin to spiritual 'product placement.'" (City Councilmember Sara Gonzalez's spokesman said that the firefighters have long been known as the "Seven in Heaven," and that that's the way their families chose to remember them.) Now, the Brooklyn Paper reports that the NYC Atheists are prepared to sue over what they consider a church and state issue. Ken Bronstein of NYC Atheists says, "We can show injury -- and the impact of what the city is doing." Injury, of course, being relative. [BP]